Immigrants kept Ohio’s population from shrinking last year: The Wake Up for Friday, March 14, 2025

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Deaths outnumbered births in Cuyahoga County last year by 215. And we lost 6,700 people who moved outside county lines. But thanks to immigration, Cuyahoga County actually grew by an estimated 1,915 people to 1,240,594 total residents.

In the new U.S. Census estimates for 2024, all eight counties in the Cleveland and Akron metro areas gained from international migration.

But we’re still shrinking in comparison.

Northeast Ohio’s population has been essentially unchanged since 1990 at just under 2.9 million, while the nation has grown by 37%.

— Laura

Overnight Scores and Weather

Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Warm start, cool finish this weekend

Statehouse and Politics

Government shutdown: A budgetary showdown between Democratic legislators and Republicans who control Congress and the White House could trigger a government shutdown at 12:01 a.m. Saturday unless a chunk of U.S. Senate Democrats agree to a temporary funding bill that Ohio Democrats argue would rip off their constituents, reports Sabrina Eaton.

HB6: Three corporate lobbyists and one executive, all since ousted from their roles with FirstEnergy, once again avoided answering questions under oath Thursday about what happened in the House Bill 6 bribery scheme. Jake Zuckerman reports the four men appeared virtually in front of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to confirm they previously refused to answer hundreds of questions in a deposition, invoking their constitutional rights against self-incrimination.

Joyce opponent: After seven years in political retirement, Democratic ex-Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O’Neill says he will soon file to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce next year. Jeremy Pelzer reports that O’Neill, a 77-year-old Chagrin Falls resident, will face an uphill battle to unseat Joyce, who has never faced serious opposition during his seven terms representing Ohio’s 14th Congressional District.

NIH: A United for Medical Research report found the state of Ohio received $1 billion in National Institutes of Health grants and contracts during fiscal year 2024, reports Julie Washington. The money flowing into the state supported more than 12,000 jobs and $2.6 billion in economic activity in Ohio.

Northeast Ohio News

Police raise: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and the union for rank-and-file police officers have reached a tentative contract that calls for officers to gain 3% annual pay raises for three years. Cleveland City Council must first ratify the deal. A spokeswoman for Bibb said Thursday details would be released later, but she confirmed the contract’s pay raises.

Scammer bait: Eastside Eddie, as he calls himself, is a 73-year-old retired IT professional who baits scammers for fun, tying up their phone lines and learning how they work so he can warn others. Kaitlin Durbin reports he uses fake names, fake personal details, even fake bank accounts to delve deeper into the schemes and keep the scammers talking.

Port chair: The board of directors of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority has elected labor leader David Wondolowski as its new chair, despite a public service career that has drawn scrutiny, Molly Walsh reports.

Arts funding: The Port of Cleveland on Thursday agreed to provide financing support to a multimillion dollar renovation project in the city’s Superior Arts District, Megan Sims reports. The port board approved $25 million in lease revenue bonds to Beachwood-based developer TurnDev, which is leading the $44 million redevelopment of the Heller-Keller-Kohn textile buildings at 2202 and 2230 Superior Ave.

Black history: The ACLU of Ohio sent a letter to the president of Northeast Ohio Medical University, saying the school’s decision to stop funding Black History Month to comply with federal directives is “a disturbing overcorrection.” Laura Hancock reports the school also has announced it will no longer provide financial support to organizations that support students based on race, gender or ethnicity, which the ACLU said could be a violation of students’ First Amendment rights.

Severance redevelopment: Residents later this month will get their first chance to tell the developers behind the plans to transform the long underused Severance Town Center what they want to see at the property, reports Cory Shaffer.

Tariff pushback: Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley joined 29 other U.S. and Canadian mayors from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative in Washington last week to advocate for maintaining trade relationships between the countries, reports Hannah Drown. The mayors met with congressional representatives, industry leaders and White House officials with a clear message: Trade policy shifts could undermine the relationship between the two countries, putting jobs and economic prosperity at risk on both sides of the border.

Market renovation: The Port of Cleveland board of directors on Thursday gave a boost to the multimillion-dollar West Side Market overhaul, reports Paris Wolfe. The Port voted to include the market transformation in a program that allows for large community projects to purchase construction materials exempt from sales tax.

Rent payments: The city of Cleveland is now three months behind on payments to Eden, a nonprofit that helps cover the rent for low-income residents. And because of the delays, Eden is now late on its payments to landlords, reports Sean McDonnell.

State parks: Ohio’s state parks welcomed more than 1.1 million overnight visitors in 2024, a record. Four out of five of those overnight visitors were campers, with the rest staying in cabins and lodges, reports Susan Glaser.

I-77 crash: A driver is in stable condition after his cement truck turned over and caused a diesel spill Thursday near downtown Cleveland, reports Olivia Mitchell.

Business and Health

COVID count: The number of new COVID-19 cases in Ohio moved downward from 3,110 last week to 2,943 this week, reports Julie Washington. It was the fifth straight week with falling case numbers.

Most ethical: Six Ohio-based companies have been named to the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies list, underscoring the state’s commitment to ethical business practices across various industries, reports Molly Walsh. The annual list, curated by Ethisphere, a Phoenix-based organization that focuses on advancing ethical business standards, recognized 136 organizations from 19 countries and 44 industries this year.

Crime and Courts

Crop Bistro: The former owner of Crop Bistro in Cleveland pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of stealing $800,000 from a federal program designed to help restaurants during the pandemic, reports David Gambino. Marcelo Fadul Neves, 59, appeared for an arraignment via teleconference from the Cuyahoga County Jail on charges of aggravated theft, telecommunications fraud, grand theft, tampering with records and passing bad checks.

Teen crash: Authorities identified four teenagers killed in a car crash Wednesday on the city’s West Side, reports Olivia Mitchell. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office said Eddy Deandre Bonner, 18; Caurie Williams, 19; Tamera Davis, 14; and Kalise McGee, 14, died in the crash. Bonner, Williams and Davis were from Cleveland.

Arts and Entertainment

Pi Day: Pi Day, March 14, gives foodies a fun excuse to indulge in pie while enjoying math-inspired puns. Alex Darus reports that while baking a fresh pie is always a classic way to celebrate, a few ice cream brands have pie-inspired flavors perfect for indulging in today.

Sleep Token: Mysterious British post-metal band Sleep Token will bring its upcoming “Even In Arcadia Tour” to America, including a stop at Rocket Arena on Sept. 27, reports Malcolm X Abram.

Rider’s Inn: Rider’s Inn -- recently renamed Legacy Lounge and Event Center -- in Painesville is permanently closed, reports Paris Wolfe. Restaurant owner Kaela Alex closed the business in late December.

Smokehouse: Smokehouse 91 brought a new Texas barbeque joint to Mayfield Village, reports Paris Wolfe. It may feel somewhat familiar to folks who were fans of Smokin’ Q’s, since it was also operated by owners Carl Quagliata and Zach Ladner.

Hedge exhibit: Hedge Gallery in 78th Street Studios has an eye on color and the future with a two-woman exhibition featuring Meryl Engler and Rita Montlack, reports Peter Chakerian. Their artistic voices join forces in a flurry of reduction woodcut prints, photography and installations that will be on view at the gallery beginning 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Travel accessibility: Myriad issues face travelers who are in wheelchairs or are otherwise unable to vacation as easily as their fellow travelers. Travelers who have a disability – or travel with someone who does – want more information that is easier to find about where to go and how to make the process as stress-free as possible. Susan Glaser shares tips.

Things to do: Aside from parades and bar crawls in honor of the Irish holiday, Northeast Ohio has a busy weekend scheduled with entertainment options: Playhouse Square shows, live music and major sporting events are just a few things on the incoming calendar. Alex Darus lists 20 things to do in Greater Cleveland this weekend and beyond.

You’re all caught up

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— Curated by content director Laura Johnston with contributions by by Cliff Pinckard.